Causes of occurrence Indications Contraindications How is the operation performed? Rehabilitation Questions and Answers
Diastasis is a condition in which the distance between the rectus abdominis muscles increases. As a result, the stomach becomes round and looks unaesthetic. This defect can occur in women after childbirth, men and even children. The danger of diastasis is that it not only spoils the figure, but also increases the susceptibility to hernias and can lead to muscle atrophy and prolapse of internal organs.
There are three stages of this disease based on the width of the muscle divergence:
- from 5 to 7 cm;
- 7 cm;
- over 10 cm.
There may be no symptoms, but most often a sagging stomach, pain, heaviness, discomfort even at rest, constipation, and belching immediately appear.
Exercises to tighten the abs with such a disease have the opposite effect, the situation only gets worse, and the stomach increases in size. This happens because the “white line” of the abdomen consists of connective tissue, which is why it cannot contract. Diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles can be removed by suturing the gap formed between them.
Causes of the disease
Among women
The main reason for women is pregnancy. The increasing size of the uterus puts pressure on the “white line”, stretching the connective tissue, which gradually becomes thinner. The number of pregnancies, the density of connective tissue and its ability to stretch play an important role. With age, the strength of the “white line” decreases, therefore, the older the age at which pregnancy occurs, the higher the risk.
In children
In newborns, this is considered normal because the muscles are not yet strong enough. Even a full stomach can easily move the rectus muscles apart. Gradually, tissues and muscles become stronger, and the pathology goes away. This process is delayed in premature and weakened children. With Down syndrome, diastasis can remain for life.
In men
The main reasons are high body weight and heavy lifting. It is important to strengthen the abdomen in childhood, otherwise after 30 years, as tissue elasticity is lost, diastasis may develop.
Taping for weight loss
Fat deposits in the waist area bother every second woman over 30 years old. A similar problem is faced by 80% of all representatives of the fair sex after 40 years. And when menopause occurs, 98% of women suffer from excess weight.
In addition to age-related changes, belly fat accumulates as a result of:
- metabolic problems;
- poor nutrition;
- endocrine disorders;
- low physical activity.
And, of course, most of us are familiar with situations when stress or depression literally fills our lives with negative emotions. This often causes severe mental disorders, accompanied by banal overeating and bulimia.
A woman’s body ceases to cope with the processing of substances on its own, a large amount of adipose tissue is formed, which accumulates in the most susceptible areas and, most often, this is the waist area.
The mechanism of action of abdominal taping for weight loss is to lift the tissue above the abdominal muscles. As a result, metabolism is activated and lymph flow improves. The removal of fluid and fat cells from problem areas is accelerated. Oxygen exchange increases, muscle tissue strengthens, and the belly decreases.
How is surgery performed for muscle diastasis?
First, the patient consults with a surgeon, the doctor examines the abdomen and determines the amount of work and method of operation. After this, the patient undergoes a standard examination - tests:
- general urine analysis;
- clinical and biochemical blood tests;
- coagulogram (blood clotting test);
- blood tests for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C.
It is necessary to do an ECG and fluorography; in addition, an ultrasound of the abdominal organs may be prescribed.
With the results of examinations and tests, you need to go to a therapist. He analyzes the results and, if there are no contraindications, signs a referral for surgery. The patient then consults with an anesthesiologist.
Two weeks before suturing, you need to eliminate alcohol from your diet, stop smoking, or reduce the number of cigarettes by half. Only a light dinner is allowed the night before.
Before the operation, the surgeon takes a photo of the patient’s abdomen in order to visually evaluate the result.
There are two methods of performing the operation - tension and non-tension.
The operation lasts up to two hours and is performed under general anesthesia.
Tension technique
The rectus abdominis muscles are tightened and fixed in their normal position. The stomach becomes flat, and the subcutaneous tissue strengthens.
Tension-free technology
An implant is installed in the area of the defect. The suturing operation in this case can be performed laparoscopically (through punctures using an endoscopic instrument) or open access (an incision is made on the anterior abdominal wall along the navel fold or along the diastasis line).
After suturing the diastasis, stitches are applied and a dressing is done. If tension abdominoplasty was performed, the patient is given a bandage to stabilize the result.
What are the contraindications for taping?
Despite the safety and effectiveness of the taping technique, there are a number of contraindications for the procedure for diastasis and muscle hyperextension. Tapes should not be used if there are skin lesions and open wounds in the application area, thrombosis, diabetes mellitus and cancer have been diagnosed.
In addition, taping must be carried out taking into account several nuances:
- If you do not have the skills to apply such patches, then you should consult a specialist. If applied incorrectly, the condition of diastasis may worsen and there is a risk of swelling.
- A specialist can palpate the abdomen, accurately assess the consequences of childbirth or surgery, and select the most effective technique. Some people visit a kinesiotherapist only a few times so that he can teach them how to properly glue the strips on their stomach and then do the application on their own.
- Don’t forget about physical activity and proper nutrition, which will most likely lead to the desired result. If you ignore this rule, then simply wearing tapes will not help return the muscles to normal.
Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation period is relatively easy. At first there is swelling, hematomas, and pain. The first ones gradually go away on their own, and the pain is relieved with a drug prescribed by the doctor.
In the first month, you should not lift anything heavier than 3 kg. For two months you should not overheat, go to the sauna, sauna, or take a hot bath. The body must be protected from the sun; you cannot sunbathe or swim in the pool. Sports are also banned for two months.
The bandage is worn for 2-3 months.
Tape after childbirth
During pregnancy, as the fetus grows inside the uterus, the abdomen enlarges. Every woman who has given birth faces the problem of stretch marks and sagging skin. To eliminate them, starting from the first day after childbirth, a woman is recommended to wear tightening or corrective bandages.
Just recently I read an interesting article that tapes cope with these tasks much better than special belts. The fact is that the devices eliminate muscle load, blocking the full functioning of the abdominal cavity, causing discomfort, problems with breathing, and motor activity.
Unlike postpartum bandages, abdominal taping after childbirth promotes the normal functioning of all tissues, muscles and, especially, internal organs, without hindering the patient’s movement. The tapes improve lymph outflow and enhance blood microcirculation. As a result, there is an aesthetic restoration of the skin. The abdomen tightens and acquires the condition it had before childbirth.
Core
This beneficial exercise for diastasis recti is known alternatively as the reverse bridge. The starting position is horizontal on your back. Legs are bent at the knees, feet are placed on the floor surface. During the deflection, you cannot bend your back, it is forbidden to arch your stomach so that it becomes arched. The pelvis is raised until a straight line with the torso is formed. The highest position is maintained for about 10 seconds, after which the pelvis is slowly lowered, relaxing the muscle tissue. You must repeat the exercise five times. It is recommended to do two approaches daily: in the morning and in the evening. Duration – at least two weeks.
Exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles
Inclusion of oblique abdominal muscles, lateral bends, various variations of plank pose and specially adapted training for our students, taking into account increasing load from minimal to intense.
You can choose any 3-5 exercises and start with 10 repetitions on each side.
Side plank scissors, knee on the floor
Oblique abdominal muscles, back muscles, lateral thigh muscles, arm muscles.
Starting position (IP): lie on your side, support on your elbow, elbow strictly under your shoulder, supporting leg bent at the knee, back straight.
We lift the pelvis off the floor, the body is tense, from the shoulder to the knee - one straight line. Raise the straight left leg up, then lower it to the floor and lower the pelvis into the IP.
Side plank scissors
Oblique abdominal muscles, back muscles, lateral thigh muscles, arm muscles.
IP: lie on your side, support on your elbow, elbow strictly under your shoulder, legs straight, back straight.
As you exhale, lift your pelvis off the floor and lift your upper leg as high as possible. With an inhalation, we lower it and return to the starting position. IMPORTANT: do not lean to the side, the body is as tense as possible.
Side fold
Oblique abdominal muscles.
IP: lying on your side, the lower arm lies along the body, the other hand behind the head (elbow looking to the side). Legs are straightened, in the air, parallel to the floor (but do not lie on it!).
On the count of “one”, with an exhalation, we perform twisting to the side, trying not to just bend our legs at the knees, but to raise them as high as possible, reaching with our elbows towards our knees. The supporting arm bends at the elbow during twisting. On the count of “two” we return to IP. IMPORTANT: keep your feet on the floor throughout the entire exercise. We don’t lean forward or backward.
Dynamic side plank with forearm (knee on floor)
Oblique abdominal muscles.
IP: side plank from the forearm, the elbow is clearly under the shoulder, the supporting leg is bent at the knee 90 degrees and lies on the floor, the back is straight, the pelvis is twisted, the body is one straight line.
Slowly raise and lower your pelvis, tensing your abdominal muscles. IMPORTANT: the back is always straight, raise the pelvis as high as possible, try not to touch the floor at the lowest point, stop the pelvis 1-2 cm from the floor.
When should you operate?
Most often, diastasis recti goes away on its own within 8 weeks after birth.
If this does not happen, women are usually recommended exercises that help strengthen their abdominal muscles.
The operation is indicated in two cases:
- If diastasis does not disappear within a year or longer.
- If it is combined with a hernia.
In addition to a hernia, diastasis can lead to chronic pain in the lower back and pelvic area, poor posture, and dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles, which can lead to stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
Software approach
You can practice a course of exercises for diastasis after childbirth, but only if your doctor approves of this approach. The choice of duration and intensity of the course is determined by the degree of progress of the condition. The first week of gymnastics is aimed at activating deep-lying muscle tissues. In addition to supporting the torso, it is important to regularly give yourself cardio exercise in order to normalize the condition of the heart and blood vessels, and prepare them for further stress. If the course is selected by an experienced specialist, he will definitely recommend classes for the first week that activate the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
In the second week, the woman performs breathing exercises. They rehabilitate the diaphragm, the muscles between the ribs, and normalize the ability to breathe deeply. Next week, twisting and stretching are introduced into the course to strengthen the muscle frame. In the fourth week, every day you need to practice not only everything as before, but also exercises, due to which the quality of blood flow in the extremities becomes better.
The fifth week involves performing the main workout including the “vacuum” exercise. The trainer adapts it to the needs of the body with diastasis, taking into account the training already received and the progress of the condition. Next week, the muscle tissue is further adapted to a greater load and determined which areas of the body are the most problematic in order to further begin working with it. In the seventh week, it is necessary to include in the list of activities those that improve the condition of the back; in the eighth, they add a bar to everyday life. The ninth week is dedicated to closing the diastasis.
About the belt
To make exercises for diastasis of the rectus muscles as effective as possible, it is wise to use a special belt. Physiotherapists advise performing any physical exercise only with a pre-attached reliable belt. Some training programs indicate its presence as a basic condition. The value of the belt cannot be overestimated, since such a product allows you to strengthen your abdominal muscles while preventing bulging. The belt makes any practice more effective for getting rid of stretching of the white line. During exercise, it makes it easier to control the load on the lower back.
To use the belt correctly, it is recommended to consult a physiotherapist. The doctor will not only select exercises suitable for a woman for muscle diastasis, but will also tell her what kind of product she needs so that physical practices are as beneficial as possible. However, in fairness it should be mentioned: there have been no specialized studies that could confirm the effectiveness of using the belt. If you check with a trainer or a doctor, such specialists will probably advise you to use a convenient accessory, but you should be aware that just wearing the product will not become a “source of miracles.”
